Tokyo café to use robot waiters controlled by physically disabled people at home

Customers in a café served by five robot waiters that are 1.2 meters tall, named OriHime-D, are actually remotely controlled by disabled people.

The cafe, which opened it doors in Tokyo’s Minato Ward, is implementing a trial where the robots serve customers by the disabled at home.

”These robots enable (disabled people) to engage in physical work and social participation," Kentaro Yoshifuji, CEO of Ory Lab Inc., told The Japan Times.

The robot controllers have diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a form of motor neuron disease. Ten people with ALS can earn ¥1,000 (around $8.82) an hour by controlling the robots.

In addition to employment assistance, robots are increasingly being applied in Japan to elderly care. According to Japan Today, many caregiving institutions have used robots to help seniors move and keep them company.

Cc : CGTN